Officials: Curbing violence a community task

BRIDGEPORT — Bridgeport Mayor Bill Finch, Connecticut Gov. Dannel Malloy, and other officials are discussing ways to curb violence in Bridgeport and other cities around the state.

Finch said it's important to bring law enforcement officials, community leaders, neighborhood organizations and lawmakers to the table because police alone can't solve the violence problem.

Finch said that in 2013 Bridgeport has experienced a 20 percent drop in overall crime, while homicides have been cut in half. Shooting incidents have dropped by 21 percent compared to the same time last year, he said.

Malloy said curbing violence "takes everybody in the community standing up and saying enough is enough."

U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal and U.S. Rep. Jim Himes also participated in the Tuesday event.